Melissa Clarke, presenter: Foreign Ministers from across the Pacific are meeting in Fiji today after a succession of country-to-country security deals, the Australian Government is supporting a push led by the Solomon Islands for a region-wide security treaty that could provide a bulwark against China. But it's an idea that's still in its infancy. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong spoke to me earlier from Suva. Senator, thanks for joining me on AM.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good to be with you.
Clarke: Now, the Solomon Islands have been leading the call for a region-wide security agreement. Will you be discussing that with your counterparts today?
Foreign Minister: Well, it's really good to be back in Fiji today, my third visit, I think, in three months and to be here for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. And there are many things we want to discuss, but obviously one of them is how do we make sure that our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous and how do we ensure the future of the region is determined by the people of the region? And one aspect of that is what leaders have said for a long time, which is security should be provided from within the Pacific. What Prime Minister Wale of the Solomon Islands has pointed out is let's work out how we give effect to that. Certainly, we've started that through the work we've done, our alliances with Papua New Guinea and Fiji and agreements with a number of other countries, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Naoero. But I'm sure those issues will be a point of discussion.
Clarke: Do you have any indications at this stage of levels of support beyond the initial openness we've had from PNG and Fiji in Australia?
Foreign Minister: Well, we've been very focused on making sure we engage in the rebuilding of trust and rebuilding Australia's reputation, strategic position in the Pacific. And you've seen that in the relationships, as I said, with Papua New Guinea and Fiji, agreements with Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Naoero. And we've got more work to do. We've announced that we do want to engage with and negotiate with both Tonga and Solomon Islands. Obviously, there'll be a lot of work there that we want to do with them in partnership.
Clarke: Are you hoping that the Ministers will make a strong joint statement condemning that intercontinental ballistic missile test that China undertook last month in the communique?
Foreign Minister: First, I would make the point that the majority of the Pacific Islands Forum did express concerns over China's ballistic missile test. And I hope China does take note of the very clear response from leaders and Ministers in the Pacific about that test, which, you know, we've been very clear it was a test which was destabilising. And in a region where leaders have said we want an Ocean of Peace, it's really important that partners respect that and we will continue to encourage that respect. In terms of the PIF, that's ultimately a matter for the Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers. I'm sure it will be discussed today, how people will deal with it and it will obviously be a discussion. But I would say to you that I think the Pacific Islands Forum members have already spoken very clearly about this.
Clarke: Just turning to some of the other issues you're involved with while you're in Fiji. You're marking the completion of a years-long project to improve undersea cable connections for Pacific countries. This is something that began back in 2018 and 2019. Was that a good decision by the Morrison Government back then to invest in this infrastructure?
Foreign Minister: Well, this is a major milestone. The announcement that I'm making today, which is that all Pacific Island Forum members are now connected to undersea telecommunications cables for the first time. And we've put a lot of effort into making sure that was finalised. And we're really pleased that all these years later it has been finalised because ultimately, a connected Pacific is a stronger Pacific.
Clarke: You've also announced some funding to help Fiji with its growing HIV epidemic and that's largely due to amphetamine users sharing needles. What responsibility does Australia have here? I mean, part of the reason drugs are so prevalent in Fiji is because it's on the drug smugglers route to Australia. Does that put a greater onus on Australia to support Fiji with this health problem?
Foreign Minister: Well, I think two points. One, is it is true that drug trafficking, transnational crime is a key priority for Pacific island nations, including Fiji. And that's why we have had, we are working with the Pacific island countries on how we better work together to confront that. In fact, Minister Burke and the Federal Police AFP Commissioner were in the region just recently engaging on how we have a collective response to that. And yes, we do have a responsibility, and it can only be dealt with collectively.
But what I would say to you is the announcement I made yesterday on this, the Health Minister, the Fijian Health Minister spoke about the fact that this is now an outbreak that is well beyond the populations who would engage in drug use and that is why, in fact, it's the fastest growing HIV outbreak in the world and it's in our region. So, our responsibility is a broader one, which is we are a partner of Fiji. We've entered into the Vuvale Union with them. And we also know that a more resilient Fiji is better for Australia. So, yes, we are working very closely with Fiji on this. And I have announced additional funding for prevention, for training, for workforce support and community outreach, as well as essential health supplies. And as was discussed yesterday, this is something that has to be a whole of government and a whole of community response here in Fiji.
Clarke: Senator Wong, thanks very much for joining us this morning.
Foreign Minister: Good to speak with you.